The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
#376
bear
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Bikes: '06 Scott S20, '04 Trek 3700, '88 Schwinn Tempo, '86 Schwinn Tempo, '85 Centurion Le Mans RS, '84 Univega Gran Tourismo
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You're right it did get some work. I put a longer stem and noodle bars on it. The rear derailleur was toast so that got replaced and I upgraded it to 9 speed with the bar end shifters. This is going to be a commuter so it will have fenders eventually. With the 27 in wheels there was minimal clearance for fenders so I threw some 700 wheels with 32 tires on it and there is plenty of room now. I also didn't like the half step so I put a 38 on it. I've had a couple of bikes with that half step and it just didn't work for me. Most of the parts I had so the biggest additional purchase was the rear rack.
#377
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1993 Univega Alpina Sport
Cleaned up pretty well for a 1993 that had sat outside someones garage for years and it only cost me $25. I only had to replace the seat and tires/tubes and tune it up and grease it.

#378
Big Ol' Varmint
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I was looking for an affordable ride to try cyclocross this season, and I found a Univega Rover-ST at a nonprofit LBS here. The frame geometry is absolutely great for me -- I generally feel uncomfortable on road bikes, and this is a little more relaxed but still more forward than most mountain bikes. Canti brakes and plenty of clearance should make it a great ride for this CX n00b.
Last edited by nice_marmot; 08-29-10 at 10:43 AM.
#379
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Got it around 3 weeks ago for $175 out here in California and have been working on it like a mad man these past weeks (cleaning it up and replacing old parts). Got new handlebar tape, tubes, quill stem, and brake cables. I have been lurking these boards for a while and just decided to make an account
Univega Sportour:

Univega Sportour:

Last edited by BANANAMUFFIN; 08-29-10 at 12:38 PM.
#380
Newbie
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Bikes: Univega Super Speciale '85, Univega Specialissima '82, and misc others
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Super Speciale

I switched to a triple last month. Glad I did.
#381
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I have a Univega Maxima Sport ... I'm gessing it's about '84. Some nice features for its time. It's on triple butted Magnalight tubing but I believe with high tensile stays. Shimmano group with friction shifters whhich in my opinion are pretty much junk. I will be going through it for a deep cleaning and re-greasing and you can pretty much count on upgrades to the wheels, derailleurs, and shifters. I'm sure it well roll nice but will it come in under 25 lbs??
#382
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i recenty got this gran touring for $65 from craigslist. i have been looking for a touring bike for quite some time and am quite pleased with it. pic is as found.

#383
Full Member
I don't know if it's been brought up in the last 13 pages, but it seems that all the sites that Univega catalogs uploaded are down, anyone have them archived somewhere?
#384
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I have a Gran Touring also, but in dark grey w/ black seat tube. I got mine for a bargain price too. It was converted to 700 wheels (easy, due to the adjustable brake pads). I like mine a lot.
#385
Vato Magick
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Univega ArrowPace ID Help!
My dad bought this bike originally at a garage sale for $25. Before the conversion, it had come with Shimano SIS derailleurs, Vetta saddle, unbranded riser bar (I doubt was originally there), Shimano Biopace crankset, DiaCompe brake levers, and Shimano caliper brakes, and 27" Araya rims. The serial number underneath the BB is M84 34338. There's a sticker that says "Tange Chromoly Frame" but that's all.











#386
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i thought about switching to some 700c wheels i got with a hybrid Raleigh i bought from a guy going to the scrap yard. i stopped him while driving to buy it.. i still haven't ridden it
#387
aka: Mike J.
I put some new tires on the SporTour this week and finally had a few minutes to take it for a spin. Rode down to the new bike path bridge over I-43 between Grafton and Saukville in Wisconsin, part of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.
The Cannondale saddle bags I found at a local thrift shop, like new condition, even had the original instruction and installation sheets in each of them. Let's just say they cost less than a #2 meal at McDonalds. I need to find a different rack though due to me big feet hitting them when I pedal.
(apparently there was some issue with some of the pics, I'll have to work on those another time but hopefully these will keep you entertained)
Enjoy.
The Cannondale saddle bags I found at a local thrift shop, like new condition, even had the original instruction and installation sheets in each of them. Let's just say they cost less than a #2 meal at McDonalds. I need to find a different rack though due to me big feet hitting them when I pedal.
(apparently there was some issue with some of the pics, I'll have to work on those another time but hopefully these will keep you entertained)
Enjoy.
#388
missing in action
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I nearly went after that one, but I thought it was a bit too small for me. Looks like a great score, be sure to post pics of it when you get it set up to your liking.
#390
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im glad you didnt, it is exactaly what i was looking for at a price i could afford. it needs a new rear derailleur cable but otherwise its great. As a bonus, the seat on there is a titanium brooks swift, $380.00 last time i checked. it needs some work though.
#392
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no, it was just a random woman who wanted to try road biking but decided she liked mountain bikes better. said she got it from a thrift store.
#393
Stooge
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Here's a poor picture of my 1981 Gran Turismo picked up about a year ago. It's been with me 18 miles a day for about five months as my commuter. The ride is comfortable and handling is predictable. It came with the rear rack, which is probably Nitto, a suede Univega seat which soon developed a crack, Suntour BL derailleurs, DiaCompe cantis and levers, and a Sakae Randoneur handlebar. I'm on the third rear wheel as the old 5/6 speed freewheels and axles are just too fragile. Has 126mm spacing in the rear, and I will probably keep it 5/6 speed. Has a unique "chainguard" on the right chainstay. When I first got the bike, the chain wasn't stretched but had at least one too many links in it, making the chain easily whack the chainguard in granny gears. The frame has two brazeons on the fork and frame for rack/fenders, but only one bottle holder mount. I've been employed as a bike mechanic for the entire time I've been riding this, and really appreciate a sturdy bike to get me around.
Edit: this bike cost me $40 on craigslist. And I haggled down from 50
Edit: this bike cost me $40 on craigslist. And I haggled down from 50

#395
Mmmmm potatoes
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I just picked up a Alpina Pro this afternoon on CL. It reminded me of my first mountain bike, an Alpina Uno, but with nicer parts. Better frame color, too
.

#396
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Ok, I may be forced to give up my C&V badge and forget the secret handshake, but here is a 78 univega redone as Single Speed/Fixie.
No parts were removed, and it can be put back to a geared bike pretty easily.
I know there is a lot of angst about "drewing" and ss/fixie in genral, but I my almost 13 year old is totally ecstatic, wants to ride to school more, wants to try the velodrome and is re jazzed about cycling.
this is a good thing overall.
The bike was my mother in laws from about 78 a gran turismo
No parts were removed, and it can be put back to a geared bike pretty easily.
I know there is a lot of angst about "drewing" and ss/fixie in genral, but I my almost 13 year old is totally ecstatic, wants to ride to school more, wants to try the velodrome and is re jazzed about cycling.
this is a good thing overall.
The bike was my mother in laws from about 78 a gran turismo

__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#397
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I got this Supra Sport along with a bunch of other parts, a few weeks ago. The frame is in good condition, but missing some parts. I haven't decided what to do with it yet.

#398
Senior Member
The rear rack looks like an Eclipse . You need to find eclipse bags for it. It is a nice candidate for a 650B conversion. If you are thinking of it you can replace the brakes with Dia-Comp 750 centerpulls.
#399
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Univega Tri Star
Someone was cleaning out their garage so I rescued this Univega Tri Star. It fits me and the frame seems to be in decent shape so am considering using it as a winter/utility bike. Are Univega bikes such as this worth rebuilding and upgrading?
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178587..jpg178641..jpg
#400
curmudgineer
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They may not be highly sought after, but they covered the market of Japanese built bikes and at each level, are as good as any of the competition, IMO.
My 1982 FrankenVega Viva Touring leaves absolutely nothing to be desired, for the purpose for which I acquired and built it.
My 1982 FrankenVega Viva Touring leaves absolutely nothing to be desired, for the purpose for which I acquired and built it.